Game apparatus.



A. L. HAY.

GAME APPARATUS. nrmonlox mmap 11.13.22, 1911.

1,001,393. .Patented 1.13.22, 1911.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.,

ALEXANDER L. HAY, OF GLACE BAY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA.

GAME APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led March 22, 1911.

Patented Aug. 22, 1911. Serial No. 616,119.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER L. HAY, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Glace Bay, in the Province of Nova Scotia andDominion of Canada, have invented nenl and useful Improvements in GameApparatils, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a game apparatus.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus ofthis character in which considerable skill by each of the players willbe required for mastering a predeteri'nined goal, mapped upon the apparatus, thus giving interest to such players and affording amusement to`the participants in the game.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a game apparatus inwhich a series of irregular courses are mapped between tivo givenpoints, one being the starting point and the other the finishing peint,thus making it difficult for a player to arrive at the linishing pointwithout considerable skill and judgment, whereby amusement will beafforded to the player in accomplishing asuccessful result.

The `game apparatus is constructed to represent the arctic regions froma given point to either the south or north pole, the region between saidgiven point and the pole being irregular, possessing crevices, inclinedand direct coiirses, so that a movable'object traversin the same will beimpeded and prevente from advancingr freely from the given point to thepole,` Without skill and considerable judgment on the part of theplayer.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a gameapparatus which may be manufactured at a minimum cost, and that ischaracterized by retaining the attention and interest of each and all ofthe players for the successful outcome thereof.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will behereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan View of an .apparatusconstructed in accordancewith the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional vievvon the line 2--2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view en the line 3 3of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through aportion of the apparatus. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the apparatus.

Similar reference characters indicate cor `responding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 5 designates a rectangular shapedbase, ali though the same may be of any desirable shape, and constructedfrom any suitable material, from the marginal edges of which risc sidewalls or flanges (3, the same being joined together at the corners ofthe base in any suitable manner.

On the upper face of the base 5 is formed a centrally raised area orplateau 7 provided with a side slope 8, concentric with and entirelyaround `the plateau 7, the latter being formed with a central pocket 9denominated either a north or south pole goal, 'and spaced from the sameconcentrically thereto are provided inner and outer annular crevices 10and 1l, respectively, the latter crevice 11 being disposed contiguous tothe merging line of the slope 8 into the plateau surface 7, while thecrevice 10 is spaced the desired distance from the pocket 9 in the saidplateau. The outer face of the plateau 7 from the wall of the pocket 9to a point spaced from the outer crevice 11 is provided with an inclinedsurface 12 merging into a flat horizontal surface 13 between it and thesaid outer crevice 11, these sur- I faces 12 and 13, being for a purposeas Will be hereinafter more fully described.

At diametrically opposite points with respect to the pocket 9 in theplateau 7 and cut into the latter are raceways or channels 14, definingroutes independent from each other, the same being disposedsubstantially at right angles to each other. Each channel or raceway 14at its inner end intersects the outer crevice 11 in the plateau 7, andterminates between the inner crevice 10 and the said outer crevice 11,While its opposite outer end terminates at a circular starting line 15drawn on the base upon the upper'face thereof. The outer ends of thechannels 14 communicate with depressions 16 formed in the base at thestarting line 15 thereon, in any one of which is adapted to be seated amovable spherical object, such as a ball 17, the same being adapted totravel in the channels 14, and over the plateau 7,

when it has been set in motion by the fin er of an operator or by a tapof a suitable 1nstrument against the same.

The bed 18 in each channel 14 is provided With an acute curvatureextending to opposite ends of the said channels, so as to afford a steepincline in the channels to be traversed by the ball when in motion,thereby impeding the climbing of the ball When being shot through anyone of the said channels, so as to prevent the free movement of t-heball from the starting point 1G to the pocket 9, the crevices 10 and 11on the plateau 7, and also the. inclined and horizontal surfaces 12 and13 thereof being designed to obstruct the course of travel of the ball17 and interfere With the velocity thereof when the same is in motion,so that the player starting the ball 17 Will necessarily have toexercise considerable judgment and skill to have the ball arrive at thepole goal in the center of the plateau.

In the playing of the game by two or more persons, it is necessary thatthe successful player set the ball 17 in motion, so that the latter willarrive at the pole goal 9 centrally in the plateau 7 Within the shortestpossible space of time. Assuming that the ball 17 is placed in thestarting seat 16 at the starting line 15 on the base 5, and a player inhis turn strikes the said ball 17, it Will be caused to climb the bed 18in the channel 141 and When the said ball rolls upwardly onto theplateau 7, its velocity will be resisted by the inner crevice 10,retarding its t-rend of movement, but should the ball be traveling at arequired velocity, it vvill roll into the pocket 9 in the center of theplateau 7, thereby arriving at the pole goal. However, by reason of thefact that the plateau is formed With an inclined surface 12 and ahorizontal surface 13, together with the innerand outer crevices 10 and11, the traveling ball 17 may possibly be deiieoted from its courseWithout arriving or entering the pocket 9 in the center of the plateau,so that the player setting the ball 17 in motion will be penalizedaccording to determined rules transcribed for the mastering of the gameand that are optional with the players.

copies .arms 'patent may be obtained for It is evident that the movablespherical,

objects may be started at any point on the line 15, thus making itOptional to the player Whether he prefers that the object climb theslope 8 and cross the crevices to the goal, or to choose the race-Ways14, thereby avoiding one of the crevices but encountering a steeperincline in the race-Way.

The movable spherical objects 17 are preferab-ly differently colored, soas to identify each used by the respective players.

What is claimed is:

1. A game apparatus, comprising a base having a raised plateau thereonprovided with a sloping side, the said plateau being formed with acentral pocket designating a pole goal, the said plateau being furtherprovided with annular crevices concentrically arranged with respect tothe pocket and also channels extending at right angles to each otherthrough the raised plateau at diametrically opposite points of thepocket, and a movable object adapted to travel in the channels and uponthe plateau, substantially as described,

2., A game apparatus, comprising a base having a raised plateau thereonprovided with a sloping side, the said plateau being formed With acentral pocket designating a pole goal, the said plateau being furtherprovided with annular crevices concentrically arranged With respect tothe pocket and also channels extending at right angles to each otherthrough the raised plateau at diametrically opposite points of thepocket, a movable object adapted to travel in the channels and upon theplateau, and inclined and horizontal surfaces formed on the upper faceof the plateau concentrically between the pocket and'the outermostcrevice.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ALEXANDER L. HAY.

Witnesses:

E. M. STANLEY, F. B. A. CHIPMAN.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,D. C."

